NOTES for Joh 12:1-18

“A terrible misunderstanding”: this is how Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh describes the rejoicing of the people who meet Christ at the gates of Jerusalem. It seems to be a triumph, it seems to be joy, but there is a question we want to ask ourselves at this moment. Is Jesus glad of this rejoicing? Could this perhaps be another temptation for Him to follow the path of a political leader? Probably not; by this point He must already have understood everything and looked with quiet sadness at the people waving palm branches. But if this is so, if the people themselves did not understand what they were rejoicing about, how could these words—“Hosanna in the highest, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord”—take their place at one of the highest points of the liturgy? We must discern meaning in this. In fact, the inhabitants of the Holy City and the multitude of pilgrims gathered there take part in what happens twice: once with “Hosanna,” and once with “Crucify Him.” Many atheists even see a contradiction in this. Of course, there is no contradiction. A separation simply occurred, like the separation of charges in an electric field: negative to one side and positive to the other. It is very important which way we go and whose side we are on. Even if we do not understand the ways of God passing before us, we are with God.